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AmnestyInternational

bloodiedbut unbowedUnwarranted state violence

against Bahraini protesters

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On 14 February 2011, thousands of people

gathered from across Bahrain. They

planned to walk to the centre of the capital

Manama for a peaceful Day of Rage

demonstration in support of their demands

for greater freedom and social justice. Yet

peaceful protest soon turned to panic as the

security forces resorted to unwarranted

violence. Within a week, seven protesters

were dead, hundreds of others were injured

and Bahrain had reached a tipping point.

Since then, like many people elsewhere in

the region, hundreds of thousands of

Bahrainis have continued to demand

political reforms, including a new

constitution, an elected government, a

greater share of the countrys wealth and

the release of all political prisoners.

Following the killings and reports of other

serious abuses, Amnesty International

delegates, including a medical doctor

specialized in emergency care and public

health, visited Bahrain between 20-26

February. They interviewed witnesses to the

violent events of mid-February, victims and

their relatives, and hospital and mortuary

staff. They also met government officials and

human rights activists. They found disturbing,

even damning evidence of excessive use of

force by riot police and soldiers against

peaceful protesters and medics.

bAckgroundInspired by the popular protests in Egypt

and Tunisia, the Day of Rage was

organized on Facebook and Twitter by

human rights activists and two Bahraini

opposition groups. The protests were

planned to coincide with the 10th

anniversary of the national referendum that

endorsed Bahrains National Action Charter

political reforms proposed by the King,

Shaikh Hamad bin Issa Al Khalifa, to end

widespread popular unrest in the 1990s.

The reforms paved the way for elections to

the National Assembly and for the country

to become a constitutional monarchy.

However, the opposition boycotted the 2002

elections to protest against the power of the

Shura Council, the upper chamber whose

members are directly appointed by the

King, to veto legislation. The reform drive

subsequently stagnated and the

government continued to be dominated by

the ruling Al Khalifa family.

In recent years, the authorities have attempted

to stifle opposition by closing critical websites

and banning publications, even by authorized

political associations, and by arresting

government critics and opponents. Yet,

opposition has continued to grow, particularly

among the majority Shia population, many

of whom say they are economically and

politically marginalized by the ruling family

and the countrys Sunni minority.

In August-September 2010, the authorities

detained 23 opposition political activists and

charged them with supporting and funding

terrorism. All denied the charges and

most told their trial court that they had been

tortured (see Amnesty Internationals report,

Crackdown in Bahrain: Human rights at the

crossroads Index: MDE 11/001/2011).

The violent crackdown in mid-February 2011

shocked but did not deter demonstrators,

who strengthened their resolve. Protests

continued and the political climate in Bahrain

began to shift. In late February, the King

replaced four ministers in a cabinet reshuffle.

The Crown Prince, who had ordered the army

and riot police to withdraw from central

Manama on 18 February, promised to initiate

a national dialogue with opposition groups,

and discussions began in early March. On 23

February, the 23 detained opposition activists

were released mid-trial. Hasan Mushaima,

Secretary-General of the opposition Al-Haq

organization, who had been charged in his

absence with the 23 activists, was

pardoned by the King and returned to

Bahrain from the UK.

On 3 March, Bahrains Minister of Social

Development, visiting London, told Amnesty

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International that 408 prisoners and

detainees had been released and that only

seven or eight were still held. She said the

Deputy Prime Minister was leading an

investigation into the killings and would

report directly to the King, and that two

members of the security forces had already

been arrested.

At the time of writing in early March, the

security forces had tempered their use of

force. However, the situation remained tense,

with protesters still camped out in central

Manama and demonstrations occasionally

being staged elsewhere, including large pro-

government protests by Sunni Bahrainis. On

3 March, Sunni and Shia youth clashed in

Hamad Town, south of Manama.

the protestsThe Day of Rage began with several

demonstrations in predominantly Shia

villages. Demonstrators later converged on

Pearl Roundabout in central Manama. Riot

police responded almost immediately using

excessive force, killing two protesters within 48

hours. In protest, a camp comprising dozens

of tents and thousands of protesters was

established at Pearl Roundabout, and the

largest Shia political association, al-Wefaq,

suspended its participation in parliament, later

withdrawing from it completely.

The worst violence happened during a raid

on those camped at the roundabout in the

early hours of 17 February. In a clearly

planned and coordinated action, massed

ranks of riot police stormed the area to evict

the peaceful and mostly sleeping protesters,

firing live ammunition and using tear gas,

batons, rubber bullets and shotguns to

disperse the crowd. Tanks and armoured

vehicles then blocked access to the

roundabout.

Five people were fatally wounded and at

least 250 were injured, some critically.

Among the injured were people clearly

identified as medical workers who were

targeted by police while trying to help

injured protesters in or near the roundabout.

Those evicted from the roundabout then

gathered near al-Salmaniya medical centre

and were soon joined by thousands of other

protesters.

In the afternoon of 18 February, some

protesters tried to march towards Pearl

Roundabout but were confronted by riot

police. According to reports, the police

pulled back behind military personnel, who

then fired at protesters without warning.

Several were seriously injured and taken to

al-Salmaniya medical unit.

On 19 February, after the Crown Prince had

ordered the security forces withdrawal from

the roundabout, the protest camp was re-

established.

ix: Mde 11/009/2011 Amy iaa Ma 2011

The protesters are being

attacked! Women and children

are running around screaming

and there is nowhere to run.

Riot police are everywhere and

are attacking from every

corner. Many are wounded.

There is a panic and chaos at

the roundabout. Everyone is

running and screaming.w 17 Fbuy p rubu,

Mm

At 1am last night they started

opening the gates and the 23

left one by one. We were so

happy seeing him!

t f f 23

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Women protesters marching to Pearl

Roundabout, 22 February 2011.

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killings of protestersRiot police and soldiers fatally wounded

seven people between 14-18 February by

reacting to legitimate and peaceful protest

with deadly force without warning. The

pattern of fatal and serious injuries shows

that the security forces used live

ammunition, including at close range; fired

medium-to-large calibre bullets from

high-powered rifles; and apparently

targeted peoples heads, chests and

abdomens.

'Ali 'Abdulhadi Mushaima', aged 21,

suffered multiple gunshot wounds while at

a demonstration on 14 February in al-Daih

village, east of Manama. He died soon after

in hospital.

The next day, around 10,000 people

joined his funeral procession, which was

then attacked without warning by riot

police using tear gas and shotguns. Video

footage provides clear evidence of police

brutality and use of excessive force. A

human rights activist told Amnesty

International that day:

Amy iaa Ma 2011 ix: Mde 11/009/2011

Kj am (f), 18-y-

m u u

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After 3am we heard shots. Some injured

arrived at the tent straight away with tear

gas problems. Then police threw or fired two

tear gas canisters inside the tent and pulled

the flap down. People were crying Save me,

save me from them.

h Zb (), bu

u u m

ubu, :

Then they attacked the tents and the

medical tent People were shouting

Salmiya, Salmiya, We are peaceful dont

attack... One of the police was shouting at

me and another was hitting my dad, really

hard with a stick, who was trying to protect

me, I dont know if the sticks are wood or

plastic or metal but are so strong with one

single hit they smash a car windscreen

sy -w, 24-y-

umy uy u,

amy i m

y 17 Fbuy p rubu:

I was sleeping in the roundabout. Without

warning the [police] attacked. A friend woke

me. I saw children and women crying. So I

went to stand by them, to try to protect

them. Then 10 to 12 policemen arrived and

kicked me and hit me with sticks. I was on

the ground, trying to protect my head,

screaming, but they wouldnt stop. Then I

acted dead but they continued kicking me

all over my body. Then they stopped

I have a lot of pain everywhere, in the left

arm, left hip, all over both legs, right shin,

and have two head cuts which required

eight and 12 stitches. I spent eight hours in

hospital. The doctor put flu on the medical

records so as not to cause problems.

Right: The body of 'Ali 'Abdulhadi Mushaima'

being carried in a funeral procession from the

hospital to the cemetery for burial, al-Daih

village, 15 February 2011. According to

witnesses, as people gathered at the gates of

the hospital to join the procession, riot police

fired tear gas and shotguns at them to disperse

the crowd.

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Peaceful protesters were chanting Khalifa

leave and within minutes of the procession

beginning, we were attacked by the riot

police; bullets were showering the peaceful

protesters and there was tear gas

everywhere. Several wounded are being

rushed to the hospital and many are

screaming.

One of those shot was 32-year-old Fadhel

'Ali Matrook. He died soon after in hospital.

The death certificate describes multiple

shotgun wounds to the chest and back.

More than 20 other people required hospital

treatment, according to a local human

rights group.

Five more people died after riot police

stormed Pearl Roundabout in the early

hours of 17 February. One of many

witnesses told Amnesty International that

riot police were shooting from different

angles, including from a bridge over the

roundabout, while protesters desperately

ran for cover.

'Isa 'Abdulhassan, aged 60, died

instantaneously from a massive head

wound caused by a shot fired at close

range, probably from within two metres.

Mahmood Maki 'Ali, aged 23, and 'Ali

Mansoor Ahmed Khudair, aged 52, were

shot dead from within seven metres. 'Ali

Ahmed 'Abdullah 'Ali al-Mo'men, aged 23,

died in hospital that evening of multiple

gunshot wounds. 'Abdul Redha

Mohammed Hassan, aged 20, died four

days later in hospital; he had been shot in

the head from close range.

ix: Mde 11/009/2011 Amy iaa Ma 2011

The riot police are still

attacking everyone we fear

that they will attack us at any

moment.

a B um k amy

i 17 Fbuy

Hassan 'Abdullah Ibrahim, a 75-year-old farmer

from Belad al-Qadim, told Amnesty International

that he was walking in a peaceful march on 18

February in central Manama when he was shot

in the leg, shattering his knee cap.

Mohamed Ibrahim, a 30-year-old security guard

from Abu Gowa, was shot by the army without

warning while on a peaceful march towards

Pearl Roundabout on 18 February.

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MedicAl personnel AttAckedAnd obstructedDuring the morning of 17 February, health

workers trying to treat injured people at

Pearl Roundabout were harassed, attacked

and, in some cases, seriously injured. More

than 10 health professionals, including

most ambulance workers interviewed, told

Amnesty International that they had been

attacked by riot police. These attacks were

unprovoked and unjustifiable.

Among those injured was Dr Sadeq al-'Ekri,

a surgeon, who had helped set up a mobile

clinic in the roundabout. He told Amnesty

International that police stopped him as he

approached the clinic, tied his hands

behind his back, forced him onto a bus,

pulled his trousers down and then punched

and beat him with sticks all over his body,

including his genitals. Officers later

threatened him, including with sexual

abuse, while the beatings continued.

When Dr Sadeq al-'Ekri told his attackers

that he was a doctor, they shone a torch at

his white shirt and saw the Red Crescent

sign. They then took him and two others to

an ambulance. Dr Sadeq al-'Ekri had

suffered a broken nose, an injured left eye,

suspected fractured ribs and bruises on his

chest and abdomen. He told Amnesty

International:

These physical injuries will disappear but

the psychological damage will not I didnt

believe that this would happen in Bahrain.

Amy iaa Ma 2011 ix: Mde 11/009/2011

I thought I was going to die

Jm abu ebm, m b by

17 Fbuy

Jamil 'Abdullah Ebrahim, an ambulance worker

who was injured by police on 17 February,

photographed five days later.

Dr Sadeq al-'Ekri in hospital recovering from

injuries sustained when police assaulted him at

Pearl Roundabout even though he was wearing

clothes that clearly identified him as a medical

worker.

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For the first three or so hours of the early

morning raid on the roundabout,

ambulances managed with some difficulty

to pick up around 200 casualties and take

them to hospital. At least one ambulance

worker was beaten during this period. Driver

and assistant paramedic 'Isa Salman told

Amnesty International:

At around six oclock we myself and two

Filipino paramedics were stopped at the

traffic light by riot police. They immediately

pulled me out, without saying a word, and

more than 20 of them were attacking me

from all sides beating and kicking.

For about four hours after around 6.30am,

ambulances were prevented from going to

the roundabout area apparently because

the Interior Ministry had wrongly informed

the Health Ministry that the area had been

cleared and there were no more injured

people there and several more ambulance

personnel were assaulted.

At around 8.30am, for example, a convoy of

five ambulances was stopped by riot police.

The paramedics were all in uniform. One of

them,Jamil Abdullah Ebrahim, said that

police pulled him out and started beating

him.

About a dozen were there, beating me with

sticks, black wooden sticks about 60cm

long. Some took off their helmets to hit me

with them.

The attack lasted around five minutes. When

Jamil Abdullah Ebrahim was returned to the

ambulance he found his colleague, Isa

Salman, with blood pouring down his face

after a second beating of the morning.

Officers had struck him on his head twice

with a rifle butt and one had threatened him:

If you come back I will kill you.

Ja'fer Hasan, an ambulance driver and

assistant paramedic, told Amnesty

International:

We reached the lines of the police who

surrounded us, smashed the windows with

rifle butts and pulled me out of the

ambulance and beat me all over with sticks,

on my arms and shoulder, and kicking me.

It lasted about five minutes.

ix: Mde 11/009/2011 Amy iaa Ma 2011

Get into the ambulances and

dont come back. If you do, we

will kill you.

w u mbu k by ff 17

Fbuy, m Jm Mm h

Y M, b b ju by

Jassem Mohamed Hassan, an ambulance

worker who was injured by police during

protests in Manama, photographed a few days

later on 23 February 2011.

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Amnesty internatonal b mm f m 3 mu, mmb m 150 u m bu f um .

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Above: Brothers 'Ali and Ahmed carrying a

poster saying Where are human rights? during

a demonstration in February 2011.

Cover: Demonstration at Pearl Roundabout,

Manama, 21 February 2011.

Please write immediately in Arabic or

English, urging the Bahraini authorities to:

Ensure that excessive force is not again

used against peaceful protesters.

Respect and protect the rights to

freedom of association, assembly and

expression, including by guaranteeing the

right to peaceful protest and refraining

from arresting people exercising their

rights.

Ensure that all human rights

organizations and defenders can carry out

their work without political interference or

hindrance.

Set up an independent commission to

investigate the killings and attacks on

protesters and the assaults on medical

workers; make the results public; and

prosecute all those responsible for

commissioning and carrying out the

attacks and for abusing human rights.

Guarantee appropriate reparation to

victims of human rights violations.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS TO:

The King

Shaikh Hamad bin Issa Al Khalifa

Office of His Majesty the King

P.O. Box 555

Rifaa Palace, Manama

Bahrain

Fax: +973 17664587

Salutation: Your Majesty

The Prime Minister

Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa

Office of the Prime Minister

P.O. Box 1000, Manama

Bahrain

Fax: +973 17533033

Salutation: Your Highness

ix: Mde 11/009/2011

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Action needed

AmnestyInternational